Hosts not leaving feedback

[Michael5794]

Recently returned from a trip and neither of the two hosts I stayed with left feedback.  I always try to participate fully. I did send a private message to both regarding some improvements they might consider, but not written condescendingly. But of course, they've got my positive feedback now without leaving any for me. I really think AirB&B should consider a rating for everyone regarding who (does or doesn't) leave feedback. It's the only thing that keeps everyone honest.

[Sarah977]

@Michael5794  Leaving reviews isn't mandatory. And I don't think it should be. But it is certainly helpful and personally, I have left reviews for all my guests.

You can mention to the host that you  would appreciate them leaving a review, and if you do, hopefully they will, but I know there are hosts who won't bother to do so.

When you are looking for a place to book, you can click on the profile photos of the guests who have left reviews, which will take you to the guests' profiles, to see if the host left a review for them. If you find that the host is a serial non-reviewer, at least you will know that and can choose not to book with them.

[Michael5794]

Thanks for your comments, Sarah! I had only used AirB&B five times prior to this past month and all of them were the first to post comments. I always reciprocated as I think this is simply a good thing to do and promotes community (and honesty). So I just thought everyone did this. Looking back now at the two stays I've mentioned, I see one had 275 guest comments and only 4 from the hosts. Incredible! The other one has 270 reviews and 0 from the host...the exception being his responses to those that had somewhat negative reviews of which he seemed defensive. UGH! Wow, I've got to be more selective of my choices from now on...maybe just considering using more motels/hotels. I guess I'm just more unassuming in matters like this. IMO, I do think AirB&B needs to step up to encourage more feedback from hosts. It's the only way to make them better. Thanks again!

[Sarah977]

@Michael5794  I've had a few bookings from guests whose profiles showed they had been members for years, but had no reviews. In that case, I will tell the guest that I'm curious about that, and in a couple of cases the guest said they had had a few Airbnb stays, but their hosts hadn't bothered to review. 

It's one thing if a guest already has some good reviews, but it's a real disservice to guests with no reviews yet to not give them the benefit of a review, especially if they were great guests (which mine turned out to be).

I felt good about giving them their first review.

Some hosts have some strange attitudes. I frequent another hosting forum and there's a thread currently running where a host says he never leaves reviews. He simply doesn't want to write reviews (and his reasons are bizarre). Yet he uses Instant Book and requires positive reviews from other hosts in order for a guest to IB and if they send a request instead, he automatically declines them if they have no reviews (He's getting a lot of flack from other hosts there for his self-serving attitude).

[Michael5794]

Yeah, this is much different than I ever suspected. I thought it was pretty much cut & dry. I think it's more probable for guests to leave reviews since they're the one who's paying. On another note, one of the ones I used recently had a sheet of paper on the table that asked the guest to strip the bedding, place it in the washer and start it before they left. It noted that it wasn't expected and no negative review would be left if they didn't. Hmm...? I thought it was really out of place to even ask, but I did it anyway, and guess what? I got no review AT ALL! Lol! I'm thinking at this point we've got some cocky hosts out there.

[Sarah977]

@Michael5794  Plenty of guests don't leave reviews, either.

Re instructions to strip the bed, etc. Each host has different rules regarding before check-out instructions. As I just host a private room in my home, I don't have any. Some just ask or expect that guests not leave personal messes, like garbage strewn around, dirty dishes, and such. Which respectful, mature guests wouldn't need to be told, anyway.

I think if a host has asks beyond that, they should mention those in the listing ad. My son-in-law travels a lot on business, isn't the kind of guy to leave a mess behind,  but said he resents it when he's paid a hefty cleaning fee, and only, like you, finds instructions to strip the bed, start a load of wash, take the garbage out to dumpster, etc. He does it, but isn't happy about it. He's just one person, staying for a night or two- he doesn't create mounds of garbage, or dirty 6 towels. He's usually rushing to catch a flight, or attend a meeting. If he'd known ahead of time, he would have booked a listing without those requirements.

[Michael5794]

Thanks for your comments Sarah977. They've been very helpful!

[Geri26]

@Michael5794must admit I am a bit inconsistent with guest reviews but generally try to leave a review for guests if I notice they have left one for me first.

Something to consider though - while the 'improvements' might seem appropriate for you, your host may have already considered them and deemed them not necessary, cant afford them, have done well without them or just dont want to change their listing.  If your hosts havent explicitly asked for feedback they are probably happy with their listing the way it is.

For instance, one of my early guest suggested (privately) I add a clothes dryer to my listing.  There is an undercover clothes line 5 steps from the washing machine (which is exclusive for guests at no extra cost) and electricity in my city is the most  expensive in the world - there is no way I will EVER add a dryer to my listing........  I now consider these guests to be high maintenance and will not consider hosting them again.

[Sarah977]

@Geri26  There are definitely suggestions for improvements that aren't appropriate, like the dryer one. Or guests suggesting that a host add another bathroom. Yeah, sure, the host just has a spare $20,000 kicking around and wants to undertake major renovations. That sort of stuff is just head-shakingly clueless.

But honestly, some hosts could use a little input on small things that could make the place work better for guests. Things like a reading lamp by the bed (believe it or not, some hosts who never read in bed don't think about that), or that it would have been nice to have a dozen hangars instead of 4. Or that they might want to get their cleaner to vacuum the thick dust out of the bathroom extractor fan. 

One guest left a good review, but messaged me privately to say there was a lot of cat hair on the outside patio cushions. I appreciated that, as the cat was a very recent addition- a feral stray who had decided she lived here and which I wasn't that pleased about. I hadn't even noticed the cat hair, so I thanked her for alerting me and now always make sure to vacuum those cushions before a guest arrives.

[Geri26]

@Sarah977  like you, I rent a space in my private home, chat with my guests and ask on their first morning if they need anything or if something is missing.  It is sad that they can't say these things in a conversation rather than having to put it in writing once they have left....

To be honest, it is usually first time users who have no idea about Airbnb or the effort we do go to, that have the least idea.

But yes, will pay the thought that some hosts are also clueless and could use a reality check.  🙂

[Sarah977]

@Geri26  The guest  who pmed me about the cat hair was actually an experienced Airbnber, which is why I think she knew not to put it in the public review- that it would make it sound like my whole place was covered in cat hair, when in fact, the cat never cones inside. So I was grateful it was  a private comment. 

I don't know why she didn't point it out when she was here- maybe it didn't really bother her personally but she thought some future guest might mark me down for it, or she didn't know how I'd take it, or view her as a complainer.

But hosts do that, too. I had a guest who told me she and her boyfriend had stayed at a home share where full kitchen use was offered, which was good for them as they like to cook healthy meals at home. The host had slammed her in the review, saying that they overused the kitchen.

My guest, who was a lovely young woman, said "I don't understand why she didn't say something at the time- if she felt we were always in the kitchen when she wanted to use it herself, and was resenting it, we would have been fine with having a schedule to cook that didn't interfere with her meal prep times".

[Geri26]

@Sarah977I fear I may have been too subtle in my response to the OP (who seems to have lost interest in our conversation lol)  is that guests who appear to be high maintenance, whether or not it is warranted, will often be ignored by hosts and that may be why he is not getting reviews....

Aside from that, hope you are faring well in Mexico and Covid is waning.  We have had many new outbreaks here in Aust over the last week and most of the country is in lockdown at the moment.  My home state has locked out everyone else so my bookings are still flat -probably why I pop in here to get some Airbnb gossip lol and continue to share the experience 🙂

[Michael5794]

Sorry, I didn't have time to stay with the conversation yesterday. But, I have to bring it to your attention that the hosts in questions have left almost zero to zilch reviews for their many guests. One only refuting or blaming their guest's negative comments. I'm just guessing here (in my first foray into this forum) that their's (some) defensiveness on the side of hosts in general ('us' vs 'them'). I'm sure hosts are up to their a**es in alligators when it comes to bad guests, so there's always the other side to consider. That's where choices come in. If I had read more closely the comments I might have seen some of these issues before I booked. However, their inattention to their guests might cost them in the long run. My final takeaway: both sides need to do better. But, I still think AirBnB needs a rating for comments...i,e., the degree to which both hosts and guests contribute to the community as a whole.

[Michael5794]

Indeed. It's the small things, often without expenditures, that make a difference. A place to charge your phone (yes, a small table next to the bed with USB at the base of a lamp) or just being more upfront in your description. One of my stays involved a steep path on (slippery grass) to the entry with loose stepping stones laying on top on the grass at the fenced gate...NOT good for anyone, especially older folks, another with steep steps to the bath with was located downstairs. I guess I'm just harping on this one trip, but it wasn't what I expected. Very clean places I must add, but the lack of feedback is disturbing...especially since I left private messages regarding these things. I see now in the comments from their guests that they're the same concerns that I had. So, that tells me lot of about their attitudes. Oh well. I don't have to stay there again.

[Michael5794]

Yes, I'd agree that a clothes dryer is a bit of a stretch. You should consider that before you book. My suggestions were minimal...like an accessible electrical outlet, or better yet, a lamp (cheap) w/USB ports for charging phones. The other was to let people know in their description that the bath was downstairs from the main area/bedroom.  Was told last night by a friend that's used AirBnB for a long time that it's become more about the money these days and anything less that that is not the usual experience. Anyway, at the end of my latest journey I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express that was fully (and I mean fully) engaged with its guests and it was a real treat. It's a learning experience and while I love the idea of AirBnB, and in the past I've had great (but limited) experiences, I'll probably start considering the old standbys again...where I might find a little more accommodation (and respect). But that's just me.